Lionel Messi produced a vintage performance as Inter Miami stayed on course for their first MLS Cup final appearance with a 4-0 rout of FC Cincinnati on Sunday.

Argentine superstar Messi scored once and provided the assists for all Inter's other goals, with Tadeo Allende scoring twice and Mateo Silvetti adding the other to send Miami into next Saturday's Eastern Conference championship, where they will face either top seeds Philadelphia or New York City FC.

On Sunday's evidence, third-seeded Miami will head into next weekend's fixture brimming with confidence after laying on a performance of pace and precision to dispatch second seeds Cincinnati.

Miami coach Javier Mascherano lavished praise on Messi and his team-mates after a performance he described as near-perfection.

"I'm proud of

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